JAMMU: Protests erupted in occupied Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over IndianArmy chief’s remarks as the opposition National Conference (NC) createdruckus and walked out of the House demanding statement from the governmentover the issue.
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had on Friday said social media and governmentschools in the state were spreading a “disinformation campaign” resultingin radicalisation of youths.
In his statement, he had also called for “some control” over mosques andmadrassas in the state and suggested a “major revamp” of the educationsystem.
As the house assembled for the day, members of NC stood up and raised theissue of remarks of Gen Rawat and sought statement from the Chief MinisterMehbooba Mufti or any other minister.
Notably, the Education Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Altaf Bukhari hadthen accused the Army of “meddling in the state’s affairs”.
However, contrary to that, the BJP Jammu and Kashmir unit spokespersonBrigadier Anil Gupta (retd) in a statement asked “the minister to bepragmatic and accept the reality rather than locking horns” with the Armychief.
Brigadier Gupta said Gen Rawat’s remarks should be viewed positively andnot turned into a political issue.
Speaking on the issue in the Assembly, NC lawmaker Ali Mohammad Sagar toldthe house that the Army chief’s statement is sad and unwarranted and thathe should not have given such a statement which send a wrong message toKashmir.
CPI(M) lawmaker MY Tarigami also criticised the statement and sought areply from the government.
Amid protests, NC members were up on their feet in opposition as theysought statement from the CM over the issue.
After it was rejected, they walked out of the house.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Sagar said there is problem in the government andthat the ruling alliance partners are not discussing the issue within.
“They (PDP and BJP) are not discussing issue within. Centre says one thing,army other, home ministry another, state government other. They havedifferent directions,” he said.
He also added that there is no radicalisation is Kashmir, and dismissed thestatement as “manufactured propaganda” aimed to target Kashmir andKashmiris.